Normandy Travel Poster: Excursions en Normandie

Excursions en Normandie is a classic Art Deco travel poster created by an anonymous studio illustrator working in the golden age of French railway tourism. Designed to entice city-dwellers to board a train and discover the rolling countryside and storied towns of Normandy, the composition spotlights a picturesque château mirrored in tranquil waters. Gentle, flowing shapes and elegant geometry convey ease and refinement, while human figures at the water’s edge add a sense of leisurely escape—exactly the promise these interwar posters were made to keep.

This listing is for a museum-quality fine art print, produced by The Unique Maps Co. with richly pigmented archival inks on acid-free paper or on artist’s cotton canvas. Choose from a range of sizes to suit your space; optional framing, gallery-wrapped canvas, and bespoke matting are available. We can also personalize your print—add a custom caption, travel dates, or a gift dedication—so your piece feels truly one-of-a-kind.

About the maker: while the artist’s name has been lost to history, the hand is unmistakably that of a skilled Art Deco poster designer, likely working for a French railway or regional tourist board in the 1920s–1930s. The streamlined forms, balanced typography, and refined color harmonies align with the best studio practices of the era, when in-house illustrators and lithographers translated the romance of travel into striking, collectable prints.

Why Normandy: the region’s blend of medieval architecture, serene rivers, and dramatic coastline made it a natural muse for travel advertising. Excursions en Normandie conjures the pleasures of day trips—strolling château grounds, lingering by calm waters, and savoring the slower rhythm of provincial France. For anyone who has wandered Normandy’s lanes or dreamed of its apple orchards and half-timbered towns, this image captures the spirit of going “just a little farther” by rail to find beauty.

Design and color: the palette centers on deep, calming blues paired with sandy beiges and warm browns, a combination that evokes sea breeze and sun-warmed stone. A soft peach flourish in the blossoms near the top lifts the eye and infuses the scene with gentle optimism. Smooth, flowing silhouettes and a luminous water reflection create a dreamlike depth, while the simplified architectural volumes keep the image crisp and modern. It’s an easy fit for coastal, modern, or transitional interiors—equally striking above a sofa, in a hallway gallery wall, or as a serene focal point in a bedroom.

This print makes a thoughtful gift for Francophiles and travelers—perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, housewarmings, or to celebrate someone’s recent trip to Normandy. It also shines as a seasonal present for Christmas, Mother’s Day, or Father’s Day, bringing a timeless note of wanderlust to any home.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.